By Jay Hess, VP of Operations and Compliance
Just like having insurance for your car, home, or health, having IT support, often referred to as Managed Services, from an MSP (Managed Service Provider) is like having a safety net for your technology needs. Just like you hope you never have to use your insurance, you hope you never have to rely on IT support, but it’s comforting to know that it’s there just in case you need it. While you may be comforted, how do you know it will be there when needed most?
Think about it: your car insurance policy gives you peace of mind knowing you have insurance, but the details and terms you do not understand often leave you lacking coverage. Get into a car accident and you will soon discover the meaning between stacked and non-stacked, as well as fault and no-fault. That is just the tip of the iceberg. What about the medical limits and deductibles? There is a lot to understand and your only hope is a five-letter word called TRUST. You trust you have chosen a reputable agent who will provide you with the best policy. Now comes the Managed Services Support, and the terminology is even more foreign to most people: NOC, WAN, LAN, AP, VM, and the list goes on. Now you hope you have a Managed Services Provider (MSP) you can TRUST. So, most people just sit back and wait, hoping they have the right coverage when needed.
There is a better way. Both insurance and MSPs can be proactive in their approach, too. We use the term Modern MSP to help explain how we take a more proactive and deeper visibility approach to Managed Services. Just like you regularly maintain your car to prevent accidents, MSPs can perform regular maintenance on your technology to prevent problems from happening in the first place. How do you know the MSPs are not just collecting money and saying they did the work? MSPs should provide reports and details to clients providing them with greater visibility while holding the MSPs accountable for their own policies. This is just like when having the oil changed in your car and you get a report showing how much life is left on your tires, your fluid levels, and more. No longer do you need to guess or TRUST if your IT needs are covered, with the Modern MSP approach you now KNOW. As G.I. Joe always says, “Knowing is half the battle.”
Of course, there’s always the chance that something unexpected will happen, regardless of how well you maintain your car or technology. This is where the true value of insurance and IT support becomes evident. Just like you file a claim with your insurance company after an accident, you can file a support ticket with your MSP if something goes wrong with your technology.
In conclusion, Managed Services and Insurance are very similar. It offers peace of mind and a safety net in case something goes wrong. Instead of just hoping you have enough insurance, and hoping you have the right MSP, make sure you KNOW. Go with a Modern MSP who will not only be proactive but will show you are covered.
